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<td style="background-color:transparent; border-bottom:medium none; border-left:medium none; border-right:medium none; border-top:medium none"><img alt="National Federation of the Blind logo with the tagline live the life you want. A group of blind people sit together, some holding white canes, with guide dogs seated at their feet." background-color:="" src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2026-01/Outreach-email-header.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border-color: currentcolor; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px;" /></td>
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<h1><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; color:black;">Building Bonds that Propel a Movement Across Generations</span></h1>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;"><em>“For more than eighty-five years, we, the blind, have been building the bonds that have propelled a movement across generations. When discrimination threatens to divide us, when low expectations deny us equal opportunity and equal treatment, we find strength in the bonds we share. After 250 years, America has not yet fully realized the value blind people offer our nation, but every day we raise expectations for the blind, because we believe in blind people, and we act on that truth.” </em>-- President Mark Riccobono in his <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44008&qid=12851671" rel='nofollow'>2026 Presidential
Report</a>.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><img alt="Mark Riccobono on the National Convention stage" src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/iof/mark-r-08419.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; display: block; width: 600px; height: 285px;" /></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Celebrating Trailblazers and Future Leaders</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">In addition to being a gathering for fellowship, education, and setting the organizational priorities for the coming year, the annual national convention offers an opportunity to recognize trailblazers in the blindness space and award scholarships to outstanding blind scholars. Check out all of the <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44009&qid=12851671" rel='nofollow'>2026 convention highlights</a> and read <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44010&qid=12851671" rel='nofollow'>more about the outstanding award winners</a>.</span></p>
<h3 style="color:1b5633"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; "><font color="1b5633">Scholarship Winners Gain Support and Mentorship</font></span></h3>
<blockquote>
<p><em><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">"One of the biggest benefits of the Scholarship Program for me was being able to attend the NFB Convention. I can confidently say that this was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life so far. Not only was I able to connect with blind and low vision students from across the country, but I was also able to connect with incredible mentors, many of whom I still talk to regularly, and realize how I can use the resources of the NFB to enhance my professional and personal life.”</span></em><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;"> – Tom, National Scholarship winner</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Thirty merit-based scholarships were awarded to blind students at the convention banquet on July 8. The winners are selected from hundreds of applicants and awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. Not only are they given financial support to complete their education, but they are matched with mentors who guide them through the national convention week and beyond. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44011&qid=12851671" rel='nofollow'>Read more about the 2026 National Scholarship Winners</a>.</span></p>
<h3 style="color:1b5633"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; "><font color="1b5633">Honoring Dr. Jacob Bolotin's Legacy</font></span></h3>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Dr. Jacob W. Bolotin (1888-1924) was the world’s first physician who was blind from birth. Not only did he realize his own dream, but he also went on to mentor others and motivate future generations. The nineteenth annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards honored five individuals and organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and whose work advances the goal of helping transform their dreams into reality. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44025&qid=12851671" rel='nofollow'>Read more about the inspiring 2026 award winners</a>.</span></p>
<h3><span style="color:1b5633"><span style="font-size:18pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><font color="1b5633">Convention Sponsors: Partners with the Blind Community</font></span></span></span></h3>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Fifty-one partners and allies of the Federation demonstrated their commitment to the blind-led movement by serving as sponsors for the 2026 National Convention. These organizations support the work of the Federation and by participating in the convention gain valuable feedback from blind consumers and connect with our dynamic and diverse community. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44012&qid=12851671" rel='nofollow'>Thank you to the 2026 National Convention Sponsors</a>.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:black"><img alt="Convention sponsors demonstrating access technology to NFB members in the exhibit hall" src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/iof/exhibit-hall-08169.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 285px;" /></span></span></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Until Next Time: Watch the Highlights from Austin</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">If you missed any of the convention activities earlier this month, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44013&qid=12851671" rel='nofollow'>watch recordings of the events on YouTube</a> and save the dates for next year, July 2-7, 2027, in Austin, Texas.</span></p>
<p><img alt="2026 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award winners" src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/iof/bolotin-09097-2.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; display: block; width: 600px; height: 285px;" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Thank you for helping us show the world that we can live and create the lives we want. You are subscribed to our monthly community impact email, where we share how we are advancing the lives of the Nation’s blind. The National Federation of the Blind is a network of members, friends, and people like you who believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people.</span></p>
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